New Jersey boasts rich Italian culinary traditions—from century-old landmarks to modern culinary innovators. Whether you’re searching for the most famous Italian restaurant in New Jersey, curious about a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey, or aiming to find the #1 Italian restaurant in New Jersey, this curated list of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey has something for every palate. Each spotlight includes most popular dishes in Italian restaurants locals love.

List of Top 10 Italian Restaurants in New Jersey

1. Fiorentini (Rutherford) – Upscale Seasonal Excellence

Named New Jersey’s best Italian restaurant by 5 Reasons To Visit, Fiorentini is the #1 Italian restaurant in New Jersey. This North Jersey gem crafts seasonal, scratch-made dishes—lamb-truffle croquettes, spinach gnocchi, housemade gelati—ranking among the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. Its cozy yet elegant ambiance makes it a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey, while its chef’s-table tasting menus and refined approach secure its status as one of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.

2. Catherine Lombardi (New Brunswick) – Cozy Comfort & Family Favorites

Touted by LoveFood as the best Italian restaurant in New Jersey, Catherine Lombardi delivers heartwarming classics in a casual setting. Guests love the garlic bread, spinach‑mushroom ravioli, and fried calamari with sweet‑spicy marinara—some of the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. With house-made mozzarella, flavorful lasagna and veal parmigiana, it’s both a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey and a strong contender for the most famous Italian restaurant in New Jersey.

3. Verde Ristorante (Morris Plains) – Traditional with Sophistication

Patch recently named Verde Ristorante the best Italian spot in New Jersey. Known for pesto rigatoni with shrimp and crab, linguine with clam sauce, and veal sorrentino, it delivers the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants with finesse. As a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey, its upscale yet approachable style places it among the top Italian restaurants in New Jersey, offering fine-dining without pretense.

4. Il Nido (Marlboro) – Italian Fine Dining Elevated

Voted one of NJ’s top Italian restaurants, Il Nido serves dishes like black spaghetti with calamari and other refined Italian fare. Praised in best-of-NJ roundups as a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey, its sophisticated menu showcases most popular dishes in Italian restaurants elevated by chef flair. This earns it a spot among the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.

5. Chef Vola’s (Atlantic City) – Historic Comfort Classic

A James Beard-recognized “America’s Classic,” Chef Vola’s has served Atlantic City since 1921. Known for old-school red-sauce recipes, baked clams, and robust pastas, it features most popular dishes in Italian restaurants in a heritage-rich setting. For many, it’s the most famous Italian restaurant in New Jersey, and its storied history places it high among the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.

6. Semolina (Red Bank) – Farm-to-Table Pasta Artistry

With a 4.8–rated OpenTable record, Semolina is celebrated for inventive pasta offerings in Red Bank. Beloved for its fresh‑ingredient focus and cozy charm, it has quickly become a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey. Its rotating pastas, attentive service, and quality earn it acclaim as one of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey—a true standout in Central Jersey.

7. Bici (Ramsey) – Creative Comfort in Northern NJ

Located in Ramsey, Bici brings bold but comfort-driven dishes—malfatti dumplings, Chianti risotto, scallop specials—all ranked among the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. Its intimate 52-seat, BYO setting offers artisanal comfort, making it a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey and establishing it among the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.

8. Viaggio (Wayne) – Tuscan Farmhouse Elegance

Viaggio’s Tuscan farmhouse-style space showcases antipasti, butternut squash soup, and pappardelle alla Mema. Its seasonal approach and relaxed sophistication make it one of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey. With fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a warm atmosphere, Viaggio is a true popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey.

9. Corto (Jersey City) – Seasonal Modern Italian

Corto in Jersey City crafts a seasonally driven Italian menu featuring rigatoni, tortellini, and fusion options like chicken liver toast. Voted among the state’s top Italian restaurants, it’s a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey for diners seeking subtle innovation in classic Italian fare—with a creative twist on most popular dishes in Italian restaurants.

10. Scalini Fideli (Chatham) – Classy, Occasion-Worthy Dining

Reddit users nominate Scalini Fideli among “Italian (not Italian‑American) restaurants” worth visiting. Located in Chatham, it’s praised for fine pastas and elevated ambiance—making it a popular Italian restaurant in New Jersey with a refined menu that includes some of the most popular dishes in Italian restaurants. It completes our list of the best Italian restaurants in New Jersey.

🍝 Conclusion: Explore NJ’s Italian Gems

From North Jersey standouts like Fiorentini and Bici to Central Jersey’s Catherine Lombardi and Red Bank’s Semolina, and iconic heritage spots like Chef Vola’s, New Jersey offers vibrant Italian dining. Whether you’re seeking the most famous Italian restaurant in New Jersey, craving most popular dishes in Italian restaurants, or aiming to find the #1 Italian restaurant in New Jersey, this top 10 Italian restaurants in New Jersey list will guide you to the state’s most delicious options. Buon appetito!